Is there any where in the world that functions like an ant colony?
My friend Millie just loves ants.
Mille Loves Ants by Jackie French and Sue deGennaro is a sweet story about a little girl who is intrigued by a delightful echidna and those little insects who creep in and out of our houses on a daily basis.
This is my pre release copy:
Millie is a spiky bush friend who adores ants and tracks them wherever they go – even if that means going under the bath, into the kitchen, in hollow trees and on the bed!
In Mille loves ants, We see the power of children and their desire to explore their world and expand their knowledge. We also see the ability of children to be able to sit and watch, living side by side with native animals and insects, knowing that without them and the things they do, we would not exist in the way we currently do.
Sue deGennaro’s illustrations have been drawn in soft pastel shades and add to the warm and fuzzy feeling the reader will feel whilst they are reading this story.
The underlying messages of this story are beautiful – a mother echidna caring for her puggle and the importance of ants to our living environment. Both messages are ones which all children need to read about in order to deepen their appreciation of the natural world.
So what can you do with this book?
SUSTAINABILITY
- Go on an ant hunt! Where do they ants live around your house and outside area? Watch where they go, what they are carrying and where they live.
- Where do Echidna’s live in Australia?
- Although not all breeds of Echidna’s are endangered, some are and although they are a protected species, their habitat is not. Find out about breeding programs and conservation for echidna’s.
- How do ants make the soil healthy?
- What are the different roles of ants – soldier ants, queen ants , drones and worker ants? Draw up your own ant colony with labels.
- PROJECT: Are ants the smartest insects? Compare different insects and try to come up with the winner!
- PROJECT: What are your local ants favourite food? Do different ants like different types of food?
- Check this out: http://www.schoolofants.net.au
LITERACY
- Rhyme plays a role in this story. Which words rhyme in this story? What else rhymes with ants?
NUMERACY
- Calculate how many ants might be in your backyard by working out how may are in 10cm2 and multiply it!
